Medicine

Our MBChB Medicine programme is designed to prepare you for the demands of a medical career, with a strong emphasis on working compassionately with patients as partners within a multi-disciplinary team. You’ll gain exposure to real clinical settings through a series of clinical placements each year, and develop a wide range of skills and a broad knowledge base.

Our patient-centred curriculum is taught across five years in two phases. It starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection and pathological processes. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals in placements ranging from cancer care to integrated medicine.

Throughout your time with us, you will be encouraged to develop into an independent life-long learner, with critical thinking skills and the caring and empathetic attitude needed to embark on your first post after graduation as a Foundation Doctor.

What you will learn
Our patient-centred curriculum is taught over five years in two phases. It starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection, and pathological processes. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals in placements ranging from cancer care to integrated medicine.

It is our aim to prepare you for the demands of a medical career, with an emphasis on working compassionately with patients as partners, within a multi-disciplinary team.

Phase 1: Years 1 and 2
Throughout Phase 1 you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks covering topics such as physiology, pharmacology, public and global health, and the musculoskeletal system. You’ll be introduced to clinical practice, learn how to interact effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, develop consultation skills as well as an introduction to diagnostic reasoning. The very early clinical experience placement gives you an opportunity to develop an understanding of what it’s like to be a patient and to gain real-world experience of the work carried out by doctors and other members of the general practice (primary care) team.

Phase 2: Years 3, 4 and 5
Much of your learning in Phase 2 will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals. Your progress will be supplemented and supported with lectures, group work, workshops, independent study and other learning opportunities. The Student Selected Components delivered in this phase, offer you the chance to study an area of particular interest. You will also have the opportunity, as an option within the Student Selected Component (SSC), to complete a research-based project with the Aston Medical Research Institute whose four themes of research include: maternal health, mental health, cardiovascular medicine and regenerative medicine.

Key benefits

• Enhance your skills in a range of authentic clinical settings from your very first year.

• Prepare for work in a rapidly changing healthcare system.

• Thrive in our modern and friendly campus, equipped with dedicated facilities for Aston Medical School students.

• Benefit from integrated placements in clinical and community settings.

• Complete a six-week Foundation Assistantship in your final year, where you will undertake foundation doctor level work under very careful supervision.

Cohort
Full details of our cohort makeup can be found on our website. In keeping with our vision of being a socially inclusive medical school, we aim to offer up to 40 per cent of our UK places to students who meet specified widening participation criteria.

Phase 1 – Years 1 & 2
Throughout Phase 1, you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks covering topics such as physiology, pharmacology, public and global health and the musculoskeletal system. You’ll be introduced to clinical practice, learning how to interact effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, develop consultation skills as well as an introduction to diagnostic reasoning.The Very Early Clinical Experience placement gives you an opportunity to develop an understanding of what it’s like to be a patient,and to gain real-world experience of the work carried out by doctors and other members of the general practice (primary care) team.

Phase 2 – Years 3, 4 & 5
Much of your learning in Phase 2 will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals. Your progress will be supplemented and supported with lectures, group work, workshops, independent study and other learning opportunities.The Student Selected Components delivered in this phase, offer you the chance to study an area of particular interest. You will also have the opportunity, as an option within the Student Selected Component, to complete a research-based project with the Aston Medical Research Institute whose four themes of research include: maternal health, mental health, cardiovascular medicine and regenerative medicine.

Full details, including information on what is covered in each year of study and clinical placements can be found on our website.

We employ a range of teaching, learning and assessment methods. There is an emphasis on working with peers to apply learning and solve problems, and we use technology and digital resources to make materials more accessible, to enhance learning and to make it fun. Modes of assessment include in-course assignments, computer-based knowledge exams, practical clinical skills tests, and continuous assessment of professional behaviour.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Medical Council